Arena's Lorcaserin passes safety test, but still needs long-term data

SAN DIEGO Lorcaserin, Arena Pharmaceuticals' experimental obesity drug has passed a safety test, but will need more time to lessen worries about a potential side effect.

The major potential side effect is heart valve damage, which was the reason why Wyeth’s Redux, lorcaserin’s parent drug, was pulled off the market. The difference between the two drugs, Arena said, is that the cheimical formula of Redux was hitting too many other biological receptors on top of the one that reduces appetite.

The company does not expect to see a difference in heart valve problems in trials between the drug and placebo. The future of the drug will be determined as more studies are taken and as the drug goes further in trials.